A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> Mary: SEE HOW GAVEL SHARING IS GOING IN THE HOUSE AND BUDGET CHALLENGES IN THE SENATE.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO, PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES, A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY, A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER - HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

>> Mary: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL," I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY.

AND IT IS THE LAST WEEK BEFORE LAWMAKERS TAKE OFF FOR THEIR SPRING BREAK.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO CHECK IN HOW CO-CHAIRS ARE DOING IN THIS HISTORIC POWERING-SHARING MODEL IN THE HOUSE, WE'LL ALSO MEET A DFL FRESHMAN FIREFIGHTER AND A REPUBLICAN SENATOR ON ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMITTEES OVER THERE.

BUT WE BEGIN WITH HOW FEDERAL POLITICAL TURMOIL CONTINUES TO IMPACT THE STATE.

>> WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED, RIGHT?

>> NO!

>> Mary: AN ENORMOUS CROWD, ESTIMATED AT 25,000 PEOPLE, POURED ONTO THE STATE CAPITOL MALL OVER THE WEEKEND TO PROTEST THE ADMINISTRATION IN D.C. DECLARING HANDS OFF MEDICAID, EDUCATION, SCIENCE, VETERANS, FEDERAL WORKERS, AND MORE.

>> THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!

[ Cheers ] A PROUD REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS DISTRICT 65B OF OUR CAPITOL CITY OF St. PAUL, AND THE SUBURB OF WEST St. PAUL, I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT ALL MINNESOTANS THAT ARE SAYING, HANDS OFF, NATIONALLY, ACROSS OUR COUNTRY!

>> I AM ALLING TO ORDER THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ETHICS.

>> Mary: SENATE PRESIDENT BOBBY JOE CHAMPION ASKED TO TEMPORARILY STEP ASIDE FROM HIS ROLE AS CHAIR OF THE ETHICS SUBCOMMITTEE WHILE HE ASKS FOR A ADVISORY OPINION OVER CONCERNS F ALLEGED CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH A LEGAL CLIENT WHO GOT MILLIONS IN STATE DOLLARS.

>> HAVE YOU CONSIDERED HIS ROLES AS JOBS CHAIR AND AS SENATE PRESIDENT?

>> TO REPLACE SENATOR CHAMPION WITH SENATOR PAPPAS, TO LEAD THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ETHICS, SO THAT WORK CAN PROCEED.

I THINK ALL OF US HOLD DEAR THE INTELG GRIT THAT WE HOLD WITH THE PUBLIC.

>> ary: THE REPUBLICAN-LED FRAUD COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO PROBE STATE AGENCIES.

>> THE AGENCY, I WOULD ARGUE, DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO WIND IT DOWN, BECAUSE THEY EXPECTED TO HAVE THOSE FUNDS FOR WELL OVER A YEAR.

>> EVEN THOUGH WE ALL KNEW IT WAS ONE-TIME MONDAY FOR VARIOUS THINGS, THEY'RE COMING BACK ASKING FOR ONGOING APPROPRIATIONS.

SO IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE CULTURALLY THAT'S BEEN COMMUNICATED WELL.

>> Mary: SENATE REPUBLICANS WANT PARENTS TO BE NOTIFIED OF ANY VIOLENT ACTS AT SCHOOL.

>> VIOLENCE IN SCHOOL IS FAR WORSE THAN WE HAVE ANY IDEA.

AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, AS A MOTHER, I HAVE TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

>> EVEN IN OUR CURRENT BUDGET ENVIRONMENT, WITH THE LOOMING $6 BILLION AND EVEN WITH THE NET ZERO BUDGET TARGETS, THERE'S NO REASON TO CUT THE KEY PRIORITIES.

>> WE'RE HEARING IN THE END, THE CUTS ARE NOT GOING TO COME, ESPECIALLY IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION EALM, OTHER AREAS.

>> Mary: AND THE SENATE CONSIDERED A NEW SOCIAL MEDIA TAX.

>> YOU MAY BE IN THE WHITE HOUSE, CUTTING SERVICES, LIKE MEDICAID AND SOCIAL SECURITY!

BUT WE'RE GOING TO DAMN WELL MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAXING YOU.

>> META, THEIR PROFITS IN FIVE YEARS QUADRUPLED.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR EFFECTIVE TAX RATE?

IT WENT DOWN!

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE BACK HERE, FOR OUR BUDGET, BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP, ELON MUSK AND HIS OLIGARCHS ARE DRIVING US RIGHT OVER A CLIFF.

>> Mary: WELL, THE HOUSE IS IN ITS HISTORIC OWER-SHARING AGREEMENT, AND WE HAVE ANOTHER SET OF CO-CHAIRS WE'RE GOING TO CHECK IN TO SEE HOW THEY'RE DOING.

THESE ARE THE FOLKS FROM CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND WE HAVE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE NOLAN WEST AND DFL REPRESENTATIVE CARLIE KOTYZA-WITTHUHN.

FIRST OF ALL, HOW'S IT GOIN'?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I EAN, I POSTED A PHOTO OF YOU GUYS LITERALLY SHARING THE GAVEL, BUT YOU DON'T LITERALLY SHARE IT, RIGHT?

WHO WANTS TO JUMP IN?

>> I EAN, YEAH, YOU CAN'T.

SOMEBODY'S GOT TO HAVE THE HAMMER.

BUT I ALWAYS -- IT IS AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE.

WE GET ALONG BETTER THAN MOST, I WOULD SAY.

I HAVE HEARD SOME DOOR SLAMMING STORIES.

BUT I TELL PEOPLE, YOU CAN WASH YOUR BRAINS IN OUR COMMITTEE BECAUSE WE DEAL WITH ACTUAL CONTENT AND NOT ALL THE KIND OF NONSENSE THAT YOU HEAR A LOT.

>> WE'VE GOTTEN LOTS OF COMPLIMENTS THROUGHOUT THE SESSION OF PEOPLE COMING TO OUR COMMITTEE JUST TO SIT AND WATCH AS A PALATE CLEANSER FROM SOME OF THE OTHER COMMITTEES.

>> Mary: THAT'S SOMETHING.

>> I WILL SAY THAT I'M LEFT HANDED AND NOLAN IS RIGHT-HANDED SO WE TECHNICALLY COULD SHARE THE GAVEL, THOUGH THAT WOULD BE REALLY DIFFICULT, EVEN MORE DIFFICULT THAN THIS ENTIRE SITUATION.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DIFFICULT SITUATION, NOT ONLY THE POWER SHARING AND THE TIE, BUT THIS IS A TOUGH BUDGET, AFTER SURPLUS, THERE'S A LOOMING DEFICIT, THERE'S THE UNKNOWN FEDERAL.

HOW HARD IS THE BUDGET SIDE OF THIS?

>> WELL, OUR DIFFICULTIES IN THE BUDGET ARE DIFFERENT THAN MOST COMMITTEES.

YOU KNOW, SO, LIKE, IF YOU WATCH THE COMMITTEE TODAY, IT WAS ABOUT MY CAMERA BILL AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE KEEPING TRACK OF KIDS IN DAY CARES AND THAT WE'RE ABLE TO HOLD ABUSERS ACCOUNTABLE AND THAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE BIGGEST STICKING POINT IN OUR BUDGET AGREEMENT.

IT WASN'T ABOUT MONEY, IT WAS ABOUT A CAMERA BILL.

>> Mary: IS THERE A FISCAL NOTE ON THAT?

>> YEAH, ZERO DOLLARS.

>> WELL, EXCEPT FOR THE APPROPRIATION THAT IS A GRANT.

>> Mary: I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ALL THE BUDGETS?

>> WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET A POSITIVE TARGET IN THE FIRST BIENNIUM, CUT TARGET IN THE SECOND BIENNIUM.

INSIDE OF OUR CURRENT COMMITTEE JURISDICTION, CHILD PROTECTION.

THE SOCIAL SERVICES INFORMATION SYSTEM, SSIS, IS WHERE MOST OF OUR ALLOCATED BUDGET SPENDING IS GOING TO BE.

THIS IS A SYSTEM THAT I THINK WAS FIRST CREATED AS A PART OF THE OVERALL HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM, SOFTWARE.

>> Mary: YOU'RE KIND OF A BREAKOFF COMMITTEE FROM THE -- WHAT USED TO BE PART OF HUMAN SERVICES?

>> CORRECT.

>> AND HEALTH.

>> Mary: AND HEALTH.

>> AND SOMETHING ELSE.

YEAH.

>> Mary: OKAY.

>> AND IT'S STILL NOT A REAL THING YET, UNTIL THE TRANSITION IS FINISHED.

>> Mary: RIGHTED.

>> JULY 1st.

SO THERE ARE STILL PIECES COMING OVER FROM HS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY YET THIS YEAR.

AND THEN DCYF WILL BE A STANDALONE AGENCY FINALLY.

>> Mary: I WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE BILL, THAT'S PERSONAL FOR YOU, THE DAY CARE SITUATION.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR PERSONAL CONNECTION, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, YEAH.

FEELS LIKE ANCIENT HISTORY.

SO SIBL AS AT A DAY CARE IN BLAINE, SHE HAD SOME BRUISING, MY IFE WAS VERY SUSPICIOUS, I WAS LIKE, KIDS GET BRUISES, I FEEL LIKE A MORON ON THAT.

LATER, WE FOUND MONTHS LATER, IN JULY, IT CAME OUT THAT THEY HAD BEEN ABUSING MANY CHILDREN, NOT JUST CYBIL.

>> Mary: IT MADE A LOT OF NEWS.

>> EAH, I RAN INTO I AWHOLE MESS OF REPORTERS WHEN I WAS AT A PARENT MEETING REGARDING THIS SITUATION.

I MEAN, SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN WORKING ON, LIKE WHAT WE FOUND OUT, THE HILDREN WERE OT -- THE ONLY REASON WE'RE SEEING ANY KIND OF JUSTICE IN THIS SITUATION IS BECAUSE IT WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA IN THE FACILITY.

SO, MY APPROACH IS, WE NEED TO EXPAND CAMERAS, ESPECIALLY WHERE KIDS CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

LIKE SO INFANT IN DAY CARE ROOMS, THEY CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Mary: PENALTIES, IS THAT STILL IN?

>> WE'RE WORKING ON THAT.

SO THAT'S ONE-YEAR MANDATORY MINIMUM FOR MALICIOUS TREATMENT OF A CHILD UNDER 4.

I'VE HAD SOME POSITIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH CHAIR MOLLER ABOUT THAT TO TRY AND NARROW IT.

IT IS EXPENSIVE SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO NARROW IT SO WE CAN INCLUDE IT.

>> Mary: YOUR BUTTON TELLS THE STORY THAT I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT, THE PART THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO YOU, THE GREAT START CONCEPT.

>> I'VE RUE INTRODUCED MY PROPOSAL, THE GREAT START AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM, WHICH WOULD EXPAND THE INCOME LIMITS FOR THE EXISTING SUBSIDY PROGRAM FOR THE COST OF CHILD CARE AND TO HELP MORE FAMILIES AFFORD CHILD CARE.

WE KNOW IT'S A STRUGGLE FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE EARNING MEDIAN INCOME OR LESS.

>> Mary: AND EVERYWHERE, AND REPUBLICANS -- IN REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS, DEMOCRAT, URBAN, RURAL, GREATER, IT'S EVERYTHING, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Mary: THERE'S NOT AN AREA THAT ISN'T TRUGGLING WITH THIS ISSUE STILL.

>> IT'S VERY TRUE.

SO WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN THIS YEAR.

REPRESENTATIVE WEST AND I BOTH SHARE A REALLY STRONG PASSION FOR OUR EARLY LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE HERE IN MINNESOTA.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO SET ASIDE SOME ONE-TIME FUNDING TO GO TO THAT SPECIAL REVENUE FUND TO MAKE SURE NAH SOME ADDITIONAL KIDS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.

BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, YEAH, WITH THE REALITIES OF THIS BUDGET SITUATION, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DO AS MUCH AS WE WANT TO.

SO THE GREAT START AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM IS SOMETHING THAT I'M GOING TO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD AND TALKING ABOUT SO THAT FAMILIES KNOW IT'S STILL A PRIORITY.

BUT JUST AS SO MANY BILLS HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR, UNTIL WE CAN FIND THE POLITICAL WILL TO GET IT DONE.

>> Mary: WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE STATE BUDGET CHALLENGES, BUT THERE'S ALSO THE FEDERAL BUDGET CHALLENGES BECAUSE YOU GUYS HAVE SOME AREAS THAT ARE AFFECTED BID, RIGHT, START WITH S.N.A.P., RIGHT?

SO SOME OF THE FOOD ASSISTANCE.

HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH THE FEDERAL CUTS, THE FEDERAL UNKNOWNS, WHERE ARE YOU AT RIGHT NOW ON THAT?

>> WELL, HISTORICALLY CONGRESS NEVER REDUCES SPENDING.

IT NEVER REDUCED IT IN MY LIFETIME, EXCEPT FOR THE BRIEF MOMENT, ACTUALLY, TO CREDIT TO PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR THE SEQUESTRATION SITUATION.

>> Mary: WOW, YOU JUST HEARD THAT.

>> YEAH.

SO, I AM SUSPICIOUS OF WHETHER WE'LL SEE, WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES IT THROUGH THE PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS MORE FUN TO SPEND MONEY 'IT IS TO REDUCE SPENDING.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE FINAL PRODUCT IS.

>> Mary: WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT WHILE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING THESE CUTS, THEY'RE PROPOSING THEM TO GIVE TAX CUTS TO THE WEALTHY.

THEY'RE NOT CUTTING THE BUDGET TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

THEY'RE CUTTING IT TO GIVE MONEY BACK TO BILLIONAIRES.

AND THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY NOT PALATABLE.

WE OVERSEE HEAD START IN OUR COMMITTEE, AND MOST RECENTLY THE REGIONAL OFFICE IN CHICAGO WAS COMPLETELY CLOSED.

SO OUR FOLKS IN MINNESOTA ARE REALLY STRUGGLING, THEY DON'T KNOW WHO TO GET THEIR PAPERWORK TO, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND THEY'RE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT FUNDING STOPPING BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN THAT INFORMATION TO THE RIGHT PLACE WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO, ND NO DIRECTION HAS COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT YET.

>> Mary: BET YOU WANT TO JUMP IN 0 -- N ON THAT.

YOU MIGHT LIKE THE CONCEPT OF TAX CUTS, BUT NOT WHEN IT AFFECTS YOUR BUDGET AREA.

>> WE'RE NOT SPENDING UR MONEY.

WE'RE SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

SO I APPROACH IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, WHERE I LOOK AT EVERY DOLLAR WITH, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD SPEND SOMEBODY ELSE'S MONEY ON?

IS A HIGH BAR TO ME.

AND WHAT WE SEE TOO OFTEN IS MONEY BLOWN FOR SUPERFLUOUS PURPOSES, THEN WE END UP WITH TEMPORARY MONEY FOR WHAT THEY THINK IS PERMANENT PROGRAMS AND THEN PEOPLE GET LEFT OUT IN THE COLD BECAUSE WE HAVE PROGRAMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FUNDED ONGOING, EXCEPT THEY'RE FUNDED ONE TIME -- >> Mary: WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO END ON TIME?

YOU GUYS IN YOUR COMMITTEE FEELING GOOD?

>> THAT'S THE GOAL.

>> Mary: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

CO-CHAIRS, FUN TO HAVE YOU TWO ON.

♪♪ >> Mary: JOINING US NOW, REPUBLICAN ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER AND HE IS THE LEAD ON THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE THAT JUST WRAPPED UP MINUTES AGO, SENATOR JORDAN.

[ RAP MUSIC ] SO, YOU GUYS ARE WORKIN' LATE.

WHAT HAPPENED TONIGHT, CAN YOU GET US UP TO SPEED?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE N IS PUTTING TOGETHER A HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET, WE'RE LOOKING AT A $6 BILLION DEFICIT, SO THAT MEANS REALLY HARD OUTCOMES OR MINNESOTA NURSING HOMES, AND COUNTY COST SHIFTS THAT WILL INCREASE PROPERTY TAXES.

THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING I'VE BEEN REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT, JUST THINK WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE MINNESOTANS AND THEIR BUDGETS, AND ALSO SERVICES FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE.

JORDAN RASMUSSON.

>> Mary: SOST WHAT GOING WELL, OKAY, WE HAVE SOME BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT, BECAUSE THIS REALITY, YOU JUST SAW THE HOUSE CO-CHASE, THE TIE, THE SENATE HAS TO EVENTUALLY GET SOMETHING THAT THE HOUSE IS GOING TO PASS.

>> ONE DEA THAT'S INCLUDED IN THE BILL THAT REPUBLICANS WORKED ON WITH DEMOCRATS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IS LOOKING AT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MAYBE ELIGIBLE FOR MULTIPLE PROGRAMS AND MOVING THEM TO THE LOWER-COST PROGRAM.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE LOWER ACUITY, SO THAT WE CAN SAVE THE DOLLARS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE AND MOST RELIANT ON THESE PROGRAMS.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT NURSING HOMES, YOUR CAUCUS HAS KIND OF STOOD OUT FOR STANDING UP FOR NURSING HOMES IN THE LAST CYCLE.

AND HAS BEEN REALLY HARD ON THE GOVERNOR ABOUT SOME OF HIS PROPOSALS IN HIS BUDGET ON NURSING HOMES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK'S GOING TO HAPPEN THERE?

>> I THINK MINNESOTANS SUPPORT NURSING HOMES.

AND THEY EXPECT THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN NEED OF THOSE SERVICES THAT THEY HAVE THEM IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

AND THAT'S A BIG REASON WHY IT MATTERS FOR REPUBLICANS HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

IS THAT WE KNOW THAT IF WE HAVE A NURSING HOME CLOSE IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITY, IT COULD MEAN THAT YOU HAVE A SENIOR WHO'S LIVED THERE THEIR ENTIRE LIFE HAVE TO MOVE AN HOUR OR FURTHER AWAY.

SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT NURSING HOMES GET THE FUNDING THEY NEED TO PROVIDE THEIR SERVICES.

>> Mary: THE OTHER THING THE GOVERNOR WAS SAYING IN HIS BUDGET, IN THE FORECAST, A LOT OF THE CUTS OR THE STRESS IS FROM FEDERAL ONEY THAT IS OR ISN'T FLOWING.

IS THIS A STATE PROBLEM, A FEDERAL PROBLEM, BOTH?

COMPLICATED?

>> I THINK WE'RE DEALING WITH A SPENDING SPREE PROBLEM FROM THE DEMOCRATS LAST TWO YEARS.

SO THEY TOOK AN $18 BILLION SURPLUS, TURNED INTO A $6 BILLION DEFICIT, AND EVEN WHEN WE GOT THE FEBRUARY FORECAST, THEY WERE VERY CLEAR THAT THIS DIDN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FEDERAL POLICY CHANGES.

>> Mary: DID NOT, YUP.

>> SO IT WAS REALLY DRIVEN BY THAT SPENDING INCREASE.

AND I THINK WE'RE DEALING WITH THE SPENDING HANGOVER RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: BUT YOUR COMMITTEE, YOUR AREA ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE.

ISN'T HIS WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD SPEND ON OR THINK GOVERNMENT SHOULD SPEND ON?

SO HOW DO YOU, YOU KNOW, BE FISCALLY PRUDENT BUT ALSO TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDIEST?

>> YEAH, BUDGETS ARE ABOUT TRADE-OFFS.

SO ONE OF THE ROPOSALS THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE PUT FORWARD IS INSTEAD OF PENDING $220 MILLION ON FREE HEALTHCARE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, WE COULD TAKE SAVINGS FROM THAT AND PUT IT TOWARDS DISABILITY SERVICES, NURSING OMES, AND ACTUALLY GET A FEDERAL MATCH AND, SO, BE ABLE TO REDUCE CUTS BY MORE THAN $400 MILLION.

SO THAT'S A PROPOSAL WE'LL CONTINUE TO OFFER UP TO DEMOCRATS IF THEY'RE WILLING TO TAKE IT.

>> Mary: I THINK THE GOVERNOR SAID TODAY HE WASN'T VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WE ASKED HIM SPECIFICALLY, A LITTLE PRESS SCRUM, AFTER HE HAD KIND OF A ROUGH RETURN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S ENGAGEMENT?

HE HAS ALREADY HAD LEGISLATIVE LEADERS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, IT EVEN SOUNDS LIKE SENATOR MURPHY INVITED SENATOR JOHNSON TO COME ALONG, THAT SEEMS LIKE A GOOD SIGN.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK, UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE SEEING GOVERNOR WALZ TRYING TO ET ON TO NATIONAL MEDIA AND CAMPAIGNING IN OTHER STATES.

AND I HEAR HE MIGHT EVEN HAVE ANOTHER FOREIGN TRIP PLANNED.

>> Mary: YEAH, CANADA, WE SHOULD TELL YOU, YEAH, THAT NEWS IS BREAKING TODAY, HE'S GOING TO CANADA, YEAH.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR WOULD BENEFIT FROM SPENDING MORE TIME AT THE CAPITOL, ROLLING UP HIS SLEEVES, TRYING TO CLEAN UP THIS BUDGET DEFICIT THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION CREATED.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE PUSHBACK, THOUGH, ON THE FEDERAL CUTS, THE UNNOPES AND TARIFFS ON AND OFF, IS THAT DOES AFFECT THE STATE, THERE'S ALREADY TALK YOU GUYS MAY HAVE TO COME BACK TO SPECIAL SESSION.

HOW ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS UNCERTAINTY, BUT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

AND WE KNOW WE HAVE A $6 BILLION DEFICIT.

WE HAVE TO BE DONE WITH OUR WORK BY MAY 19th.

SO I THINK WE ALL NEED TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND PUT MINNESOTANS AND THEIR BUDGETS FIRST.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE, THAT'S BEEN A BIG ISSUE FOR REPUBLICANS, THERE'S A COMMITTEE DEDICATED TO IT HERE IN THE HOUSE.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'D GET AT FOR SOME COST SAVINGS IN YOUR BUDGET AREA?

>> YEAH, IT WAS THE FIRST HEARING WHEN WE WERE -- WE HAD THE POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT IN THE SENATE, SENATE REPUBLICANS, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT A LOT, IN THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, SOMETHING WE'RE COMMITTED TO.

AND ULTIMATELY, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO PUT BACK INTO THE BUDGET IS TO HAVE FUNDING FOR AI TOOLS THAT CAN HELP PRIORITIZE AND IDENTIFY FRAUD SO THAT WE CAN FIND SAVINGS AND PUT THOSE DOLLARS WHERE THEY'RE INTENDED TO GO.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT SPORTS BETTING?

WHAT DO YOU THINK'S GOING TO HAPPEN ON THAT?

THAT'S BIPARTISAN, LOVE AND HATE ON IT.

>> YEAH.

I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT PUTTING A CASINO ON MINNESOTANS' PHONES, WHICH IS WHAT THE CURRENT PROPOSAL TO HAVE ONLINE GAMBLING WOULD DO.

AND, SO, I'M GRATEFUL THAT SO FAR THE BILL HAS YET TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL COMMITTEE HEARING AND GET OUT OF COMMITTEE.

AND THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE SITUATION FROM LAST YEAR WHERE IT WAS SAILING THROUGH COMMITTEES, WAS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF LEGISLATORS WHO HAVE LEARNED FROM THE CHALLENGES WE'VE SEEN IN OTHER STATES, INCREASES IN FAMILY BANKRUPTCIES, OTHER FINANCIAL ISSUES THAT ONLINE GAMBLING HAS CAUSED.

SO I THINK THEY'RE TAKING A CAUTIOUS APPROACH.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, SENATOR RASMUSSON FOR YOUR TIME, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: ALL RIGHT, OUR FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER THIS WEEK IS ALSO A FIRST RESPONDER.

IN HIS DISTRICT IN DULUTH, HE SERVED FOR DECADES AS A FIRE FIEFT, AND HE -- FIREFIGHTER, AND HE JOINS A GROWING NUMBER OF EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WHO ARE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN?

>> I'VE BEEN A FIREFIGHTER UP THERE IN DULUTH FOR GOING ON ALMOST -- IT WILL BE 20 YEARS THIS SUMMER.

BEEN ACTIVE IN THE FIRE SERVICE, I'VE GOT A WIFE WHO'S A TEACHER, COUPLE KIDS WHO ARE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

FIGURED THE PERSPECTIVE THAT I COULD BRING, MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND EXPERIENCE OF THE PEOPLE THAT I SERVE UP THERE COULD MAYBE BRING -- SHED A DIFFERENT LIGHT ON SOME THINGS AND BRING SOME DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

>> Mary: DULUTH IS FAMOUS FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, POLITICS.

SEATS DON'T OPEN UP THERE VERY OFTEN.

>> NO, THEY DON'T.

YOU KNOW, WHEN REPRESENTATIVE OLSON DECIDED NOT TO RUN, I WAS READY TO HIT THE GROUND.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME.

I ACTUALLY RAN TEN YEARS AGO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN AGAINST REPRESENTATIVE SCHULTZ.

WE DIDN'T GO TO A PRIMARY, BUT IN THE ENDORSING CONVENTION, SHE ENDED UP WITH THE ENDORSEMENT SO I STEPPED BACK THEN.

SO I GOT A VERY SMALL TASTE OF IT.

SO WHEN THIS OPPORTUNITY CAME UP, I JUMPED AT IT.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AS A FIREFIGHTER.

PEOPLE PROBABLY KIND OF KNOW YOU.

IT'S NICE TO HAVE PHOTOS IN UNIFORM, TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> MY REAL KEY DEMOGRAPHIC WAS WOMEN IN THEIR LATE 70s, EARLY 80s THEY REALLY LIGHT TAKE HIT ON THAT -- LIKE TO HIT ON THAT ISSUE.

MY WIFE DID SOME DOOR KNOCKING, THAT WAS A POPULAR THING.

DULUTH HAS GOT OUR TWO DISTRICTS, 8A, WHICH IS THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PORTION, 8B, THE EASTERN SIDE, I'D SAY OF THE 19 YEARS I'VE BEEN IN DULUTH, I'VE PROBABLY SPENT THE BETTER PART OF 18 YEARS OF THOSE IN DISTRICT 8A, A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS, WHEN I'VE KNOCKED ON THE DOORS, YOU LOOK FAMILIAR, I'D BEEN TO THEIR HOUSE AT SOME POINT OVER THE YEARS.

>> Mary: SO THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD FRAME OF REFERENCE, BECAUSE YOU WERE PROBABLY THERE TO HELP.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: PEOPLE HAD A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, I'M GUESSING.

>> GENERALLY.

>> Mary: EVEN IN A CRISIS, YOU'RE THERE TO HELP IN A CRISIS, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

A LOT OF THAT WORK, I MEAN, THE FIRE SERVICE IS REALLY A TEAM EFFORT, RIGHT?

WE RESPOND WITH, YOU KNOW, THREE TO FOUR FIREFIGHTERS ON A TRUCK.

AND THEN WE WORK WITH THE AMBULANCE CREWS OR WHATEVER DURING THAT SITUATION.

AND YOU GET THERE, THAT'S YOUR WHOLE JOB IS TO JUST TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP.

>> Mary: THERE'S A LOT OF BAD ANALOGIES, WE CAN DO BAPTISM FROM FIRE I, DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE, WHICH ONE OF THE FIRE ANALOGIES FITS THE BEST?

>> I WOULD SAY THE BAPTISM BY FIRE.

I MEAN, IT IS LIKE IN SO MANY OF THESE POSITIONS, THINGS I'VE DONE OVER THE COURSE OF MY LIFE, YOU SEE IT FROM THE OUTSIDE.

AND YOU LOOK AT IT, YOU'RE LIKE, YOU THINK YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT IT ENTAILS, BUT THEN WHEN YOU'RE IN THE SEAT OR YOU'RE IN THE ROLE, YOU GET A VERY DIFFERENT LOOK AT THINGS.

AND MY DAYS ARE SCHEDULED FROM, YOU KNOW, 8:00 IN THE MORNING, AND I'M USUALLY, YOU KNOW, BACK TO -- WHERE I'M STAYING AT 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 AT NIGHT.

THERE'S SOME LITTLE WINDOWS IN BETWEEN HERE AND THERE WHERE I DON'T HAVE SOMETHING SCHEDULED.

BUT IT'S BEEN GREAT.

I'VE LEARNED A TON IN THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.

>> Mary: WHAT SURPRISED YOU THE MOST?

>> I WOULD SAY THE SUPPORT.

I OBVIOUSLY HAVE NEVER WORKED IN A POSITION LIKE THIS, BUT OVER THE COURSE OF MY LIFE, THE DIFFERENT JOBS THAT I'VE HAD, I'VE NEVER HAD SUPPORT LIKE I DO HERE, FROM MY L.A., MY LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT, THAT IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE N MAKING SURE THAT I AM SET UP TO BE SUCCESSFUL, TO THE PARTISAN AND NONPARTISAN TAFF THAT HELP WITH RESEARCH AND BREAKING DOWN THESE COMPLEX TOPICS, I MEAN, WE'RE CITIZEN LEGISLATORS, RIGHT?

LIKE I HAVE CERTAIN THINGS THAT I KNOW, I'M VERY EXPERIENCED IN, AND THEN THERE'S THINGS THAT I'M LEARNING ON THE FLY HERE AND THEY DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS AND, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE AS SUCCESSFUL AS POSSIBLE FOR THE FOLKS THAT WE REPRESENT BACK HOME.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK GEOGRAPHY, BECAUSE DULUTH IS A DFL TOWN.

>> IT IS, YEAH.

>> Mary: WE KNOW THAT.

BUT ALL AROUND YOU IS GETTING REDDER AND REDDER.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THAT BALANCE AND THE CHANGE WE'VE SEEN IN MINNESOTA AND MUCH OF THE NATION OF THE GEOGRAPHIC DIVIDE, YEAH?

>> I THINK THERE'S, YOU SEE SOME CHANGES JUST IN GENERAL, RIGHT?

YOU SEE INDUSTRIES GROWING AND SHRINKING, AND THAT HAS A TENDENCY TO DO SOME OF THAT STUFF.

I THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO BETTER AT TO MAKE SURE OUR VOICE, UR MESSAGE IS RESONATING OUT IN GREATER MINNESOTA, IS TALK ABOUT THE GREAT WORK THAT WE'RE DOING FOR EVERYDAY MINNESOTANS.

>> Mary: I THINK WE'RE AT A RECORD NUMBER OF EMERGENCY RESPONDERS IN THE HOUSE, MAYBE ALL-TIME HISTORY.

IS THAT HELPING YOU?

HAVE YOU MET YOUR FELLOW FIRST RESPONDERS ON THE OTHER I'D SIDE OF THE AISLE.

>> I'VE MET A NUMBER OF THEM.

>> Mary: IS THERE A BOND THERE?

>> THERE IS.

I COME FROM THE FIRE SERVICE, I KNOW, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A COUPLE OF REPS THAT CAME IN IN THIS FRESHMAN CLASS THAT WERE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER.

WHY I RAN, I TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, BEING DRIVEN KIND OF BY THE WORK THAT I DO, AND WHAT I SAW OVER THE YEARS WAS A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GETTING CALLED TO, ARE NOT THE EMERGENCIES YOU SEE ON TV, RIGHT?

WHEN I GOT HIRED IN DULUTH 200ING 5 -- 2005, IN 2024, WE WERE PUSHING UP JUST A LITTLE OVER 17,000 CALLS, AND IT'S NOT 10,000 MORE FIRES, RIGHT, IT'S NOT 10,000 MORE CAR ACCIDENTS, IT IS PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING WHAT I TELL MY KIDS TO DO, IF YOU'RE IN TROUBLE, YOU NEED HELP, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, CALL 911, SOMEBODY IS GOING TO SHOW UP AND TRY TO HELP YOU.

AND HOW THAT KIND OF SHAPED WHY I RAN, AND IT RESONATED WITH DOORS, WAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE GO TO ARE TIED TO A HOUSING ISSUE, TIED TO AN EDUCATION ISSUE OR A JOBS ISSUE OR A HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUE.

AND THE WAY I TALKED ABOUT IT OR FRAMED IT WAS, IF WE CAN JUST DO A ITTLE BETTER ON THE FRONT END WITH SOME OF THOSE THINGS, LESS FOLKS FIND THEMSELVES IN THAT POSITION OF HAVING TO CALL SOMEONE LIKE ME ON THE BACK END.

I DIDN'T RUN INTO A SINGLE VOTER IN THE ALMOST, YOU KNOW, OVER 9,000 DOORS THAT I KNOCKED THAT WAS, LIKE, NO, THAT'S A TERRIBLE, TERM MESSAGE.

>> ALMOST 29-YEAR STEEL WORKER, I WORK AT THE MINNTAC MINE UP ON THE IRON RANGE.

MY DAD AND I HAVE A COMBINED 60 YEARS OF SERVICE AS STEEL WORKERS, LOCAL 1938.

MY STEEL WORKER FAMILY GOT BEHIND ME IN A BIG WAY, WHICH HISTORICALLY IS UNUSUAL, BECAUSE I'M A REPUBLICAN.

A LOT OF THE DEMOCRATS ON THE IRON RANGE HAVE VERY CONSERVATIVE VALUES.

WE'VE FLIPPED THIS SEAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME ALONGSIDE OF US.

IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY.

I'VE GOT AN AMAZING FAMILY.

I COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF MY WIFE.

I HAVE NINE KIDS.

THAT'S NOT A SECRET.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE GET CONCERNED ABOUT, OH, WE'RE BRINGING CHILDREN INTO POLITICS, AND SOME CAMPAIGNS WILL SAY, OH, I'M KEEPING MY KIDS OUT OF THIS BECAUSE POLITICS IS MESSY, IT'S DIRTY, AND IT'S MEAN AT TIMES.

AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE TRUE.

BUT WHEN I BROUGHT MY FAMILY INTO IT, I THINK THE IRON RANGE, THE SPHERE THAT WE LIVE IN, REALLY FELT LIKE IT'S ABOUT FAMILY, IT'S ABOUT COMMUNITY AND IT'S ABOUT ALL OF THAT SUPPORT.

AND THIS IS WHO WE ARE.

>> Mary: AND NEXT WEEK WE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE SHOW FEATURING ALL FIRST-TERM LAWMAKERS.

IN THE MEANTIME HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC, THERE YOU CAN WATCH ANY PART OF THE SHOW, SOCIAL MEDIA, WATCH THE LEGISLATURE IN ACTION, THEY WILL BE OFF NEXT WEEK.

FRIDAY ON "ALMANAC," LOTS OF GREAT GUESTS, AND DIVING INTO THE GOVERNOR'S NATIONAL TRAVELS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO, PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES, A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY, A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER - HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

>> "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.